Multiple station block machine



Nov. 28, 1961 Filed Dec. 2, 1953 III,

F. L. CULVER MULTIPLE STATION BLOCK MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l .Z/VVEMTOR M Nov. 28, 1961 F. L. CULVER MULTIPLE STATION BLOCK MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2. 1953 [NVE/VTOR Nov. 28, 1961 F. CULVER 3,010,173

MULTIPLE STATION BLOCK MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I //O llll-s i l 1 1. V I I I. I 57 I12 [a l 31"-}:

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MULTIPLE STATION BLOCK MACHINE Filed Dec. 2. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BIII/YIIJI [NVEA/TCR United States Patent p u 3, 9 7 .1, .7 V MULTIPLE STATION BLOCK MACHINE Frank L. Culver, 3811 67th St., Des Moines, Iowa Filed Dec.2,- 1953, Ser. No. 395,691

11 Claims.

This invention is a dual mix block machine in which one or more complete building units are made during each cycle of the machine.

In the past many attempts have been made to produce economical building units to simulate quarried products. Each of these various types of methods or machines were plagued by one or more of the following troubles, which ultimately were grave enough to result in failure ofthe device or product to ever attain and hold nationwide distr'ibution and acceptance. The more serious deficiencies and shortcomings were:

Machine would make only one size and one face relief at a time resulting invery obvious and undesirable unit repetition in the wall.

Machine not capable of proper facing compaction which resulted in alow quality product and great sales resistance.

Low production due to all operations being done at one position resulting in economic infeasibility.

@uring blocks on expensive contoured moulds, thereby limiting production and defeating prime object which was to produce a-row priced attractive building unit.

In those units which make a blended product (one having a variety of unit'h'eights; lengths, and face reliefs) the inability to readily or economically change blend to relieve monotony or sameness of every wall;

Excessive size of machine requiring large factory space for it and compaction equipment thereby defeating product economy. v

Machines of a nature to require large operating crew, making'for high labor costs and making limited operation impractical. j

In contrast to the prior art, my invention overcomes above listed deficiencies by its many unique features which permit my invention to fulfill the following objects:

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine which will produce, inexpensively, dual mix building blocks.

It is another object of this invention is provide a machine which will automatically produce building blocks with a-varietycf face reliefs and blocks varying in length without any time delay or cessation inproduction.

It is still -another' ebje'ctj of" this invention to provide a machine which, with adjustr'n'ents and some accessory changes", will produce a'secon'd, third, or fourthvariety of building" blocks composed of a multiplicity of sizes and; face reliefs.-

It is a further objectof this invention to provide a machine to produce a block with its face compacted to any desired density.

It'isa further object of this" invention to provide a maehine toproduce a block having an attractive face uncontaminated by residue from previous cycles of machine operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to have product reston a plain inexpensive pallet while curing.

It is stilla further object: of this invention to provide a machine which will meterthe' separate mixes auto'mat ically in the" proper amounts and place them in the' cor rect mould compartmentat the-right time according" to a predetermined cycle.-

It is --another object ofthis-invention to provide'a'machine which will completemanyof the functionsof dual mix block making-withinitself thereby keeping accessory equipment at a r It is still another object of this invention to provide 2* a machine to produce dualmix blocks while oceapyirig a minimum of factory space.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which is capable of accomplishing above objects economically with a single operator.

FIGURE 1 is a horizontal section of a plan view of block machine taken on line 1-1 of FIGURE 13 showing stations A through F.

FIGURE 2 is a pictorial view of mold with one of corner molds in position to be engaged with face mold.

FEGURE 3 is a pictorial View ofone of jarnb molds which is used in place of corner molds when making window or door jamb blocks.

.FIGURE 4 is an end view of bear-off taken at line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a partial front view of station C taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 with left bear-on swung in and in" alternate raised position."

I FIGURE enavertical section of station A taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a' vertical section taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 6. 7

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section of station E taken on line 9-? of FIGURE 1".

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal section taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 1.1 is a vertical section taken'on line-ll-l'l of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 12. is a pictorial view of restraining-.zirr'n adjusters together with mold sides taken at station B.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section taken on line 13-13 of FIGURE 1. 1

FIGURE 14 is a horizontal section taken on line 14-14 of FIGURE 13. V I

FIGUR 1 5 is a vertical section taken on line 15-15 of FIG RES n FIGURE 16' is a vertical section taken on line 16-16 of FIGURE 5. I

For purposes of illustration, 1 have shown a machine having'six stations designated by the letter's'A, B, C, D, E, and F. Station A is for the automatic feed and compac'tion of face mix. Station B is for applying and cornpacting extra facing'rnix' usedwhe'n corner or jamb blocks (those havingitwo or three outside faces whichiwill be exposed when laid in the wall) are made. 1 Station C is for" feeding, compacting, and finishing" of back upportionof block. These are generally referred to herein as the compacting" stations and as such have auxiliary supports immediately beneath them to transfer force of compactor to base below. I BASE, FRAME; AND MOVABLE ELEMENT DE SCRIPTIQN As-illustrated in FIGURE 1'; themachirie' is supported on base idcntiiie'rl by rhenume a'rz'o; and has thevarious parts'integ'rated by a frame 221 Bearinfg 2 4is rigidly mounted on easeas. Bearin 25is rigidly attached to frame 22. The movable element generally designated 26 is omposed or a shaft" is journal'cd' in bearings' 24 and 251 a hub 30'and a drum 32 rigidly secured toshaft 2'8? a'set' of arms 34 attached"to"hub" 30', a purestattached to arms 34 and drum 32. A set of latches 33 are mounted on arms 34, a set of mold plate supports 40 secured to $4, and a set of mold" plates 42attached to m1d- 1atesupperr4aby cap screfws 4 1'; best shown in FIGURES 1 3 and 161 As movable element 26 iri"-' dexes to the several" stations later" described} riidld'plate supports=4il come to rest li'ghtly on weaf plates 41', which are mounted to impact supports 43, which in turn are rigidly attached to base 20 at the several compacting sta- Pat ented Nov. 28, 1961 are securely attached to mold plate 42.

. ADJ'U STllIENTS In adapting this part of block machine to making blocks of a difierent height (considering them (from the 'aspect of being laid upin the wall), a separate set of mold plates 42 would be substituted and fastened to machine by screws 44. A separate set of molds would be provided for use on the new set of mold plates 42.

MOLD, SEPARATOR, AND KEY LUG DESCRIP- TION I have shown for purposes of illustration in FIGURE 2, a mold 46 for two blocks, which has integrally cast therein, a recess into which raised portion of mold plate 42 fits, and cast thereon, lower separator 48, the p'osition and number of which on the diflferent molds will vary. To further clarify, a mold having two lower separators would make three blocks, while a mold having no separators would of course make only one block.

fEach lower separator will have a key lug positioned di- .said alternate use.

AUTOMATIC FACING POSITION DESCRIPTION Station A i As best illustrated in FIGURE 6, frame 22 supports the facing mix storage hopper 57, which has a false front 58 hingedly mounted therein. Front side of hopper 57 has collar 67 rigidly attached thereto, and pin 69 movably positioned therein and located by use of key 71 in one of the several adjusting holes provided. A conventional type time controller 59 is mounted on hopper 57, below which a facing feed drawer 60 is mo'vably mounted. A shut-01f plate 62 is secured to rearward portion of drawer 60, to which is attached piston rod 64, .of feed drawer pressure cylinder 66. This cylinder is secured to bracket 68 which is mounted on frame 22. Trip bar 63 is mounted to plate 62 and engages alternately drawer bottom retraction switch -61 attachedto hopper 57, and compaction start switch 65 secured to bracket 68. Feed drawer 60 and feed drawer bottom 70 are laterally positioned by guides 72 which are mounted to frame 22. 'Iwo racks 74 are attached to drawer bottom 70 and run on gears 78. Drawer bottom is also supported by and rolls on rollers 76. Feed drawer retraction switch 75 is mounted on bracket 68'to engage drawer bottom '70. Gears 78 mounted near the ends of equalizer shaft 80, are rigidly conected thereby. vShaft 80 is journaled in bearings 82 which are mounted to frame 22. Piston rod 84 is secured to feed drawer bottom 70 at its rear central portion, and reciprocates within feed drawer bottom pressure cylinder 86 which is mounted to bracket 68.

VALVE AND CYLINDER COMBINATION Unless otherwise specified, all cylinders mentioned in this application have incorporated therein as a closelyv connected part of the cylinder, electrically operated twoway valves of a conventional nature. These valves are not shown as they are conventional units for directing a fluid pressure to the ends of the cylinder to cause ates a conventional valve, which is integral with-lower bars 106.

. 4 v 1 the pistons to extend or retract the piston rods. These conventional valves are of the type wherein an electrical impulse of a very short duration actuates the valve, which then remains in the new position although no electrical circuit ismaintained to so hold it. This leavm the valve in a tie-energized state and ready to receive the next impulse to reverse its action without resorting to the various relays and complicated electrical circuits.

MOLD SIDES Upper mold sides 88 are rigidly but detachably secured to frame 22 over mold '46. Lower mold sides 90 are detachably mounted to arms 92, which are pivoted to support lugs 94, and are secured to piston rod 98 of mold sides cylinder 100 by yoke 96. Mold sides cylinder 100 is mounted to frame 22 via plate 102. Feed drawer and drawer bottom advance stroke switch is mounted to frame 22 so as to engage trip bar 97 which is secured to yoke 96.

coMPAcToRs Compactors 104 are removably attached to. guide bars 106 which reciprocate in guides 108 which are rigidly mounted in hopper 57. Piston rods 110, secured to bars 106, reciprocate in compactor cylinders 112, which are rigidly attached to hopper 57. Controller 59 is of the conventional type wherein a primary timer determines the duration of the period during which the secondary or oscillating controller functions. Thesecondary controller emits time spaced signals to two separate circuits activating first the advance portion of two way valves in compactor cylindersv 112 and secondly the retraction portion of valves in same cylinders as long as it is energized by primary timer. 'Secondary oscillatingv control, when de-energized always comes to, and rests onretraction signal.

ADJU STMENTS' In adapting automatic facing portion of block machine to making blocks of a different height, a set of proper sized compactors 104 would be attached to guide Upper mold sides 88 and lower mold sides 90 of the proper width would be attached to, frame 22 and arms 92 by cap screws or other convenient means. Bracket 68 with feed drawercylinder 66 and drawer bottom cylinder 86 attached would be repositioned on frame 22 by screwsv or other means in holes provided in frame 22 so that leading edges of drawer 60 and bottom 70 would maintain the same relative position with reference to adjacent edge of upper mold sides 88 which they have as shown in FIGURE 6. Then false hopper front 58 is adjusted by entering key 71 in proper hole in pin 69, and collar 67. An alternate position. is illustrated by dashed lines in FIGURE 6 as would be used whenmaking-blocks having alesser height.

OPERATION oF AUTOMATIC FACING OPER- Station A In following the operation of the previously described mechanism-at automatic facing operation, an electrical impulse from switch 235 (later to be described) actumold side cylinder causing normally extended piston rod 98 to retract, carrying with it yoke 96, and arms 92, tov drop the lower mold sides 90 into position shown in FIGURE 6 therebyforming a mold compartmen-t having mold 46 for its bottom. As yoke 96 reaches bottom of its travel, trip bar 97 secured thereto actuates feed drawer advance switch 95. I The electrical impulse released by operation of switch 95 actuatesvalves which are incorporated in feed drawer' cylinder 66 and feed drawer bottom cylinder 86.

rects fluid. pressure into the proper end at cylinders as shownin 61 which forces piston. rods 64 and 84- to move feed drawer 60 and drawer bottom 70 to:- a position; above the upper: moldi sides- 88' The feed draw er 60 and drawer bottom 70,. enclose charge of facing mix dropped.- by gravity from hopper 57; During period when drawer isextended out over mold 46, shut on. plate 62. closes. bot-tom of happen 57 restraining mix from further feeding or spilling: As. feed drawer 60' reaches end of outward stroke, feed drawer bottom retraction switch 61 is operated by Mr 63; which aotuates the electrically controlled valve in feed drawer bottom cyl inder 86 causing piston'rod 84 to retract and withdraw drawer bottom 70 ,v thereby dropping facing change through upper mold sides? 88', and evenly into mold compartment;

As: drawer bottom 70 reaches end of'ret'ractiont stroke, its trip rod 73 actuates feed drawer retraction switch-'75; sending electric impulseto valve in feed drawer cylinder 66 causing fluid pressure to. beapplied so as to retract piston rod 64 which withdraws feed drawer 60 from extended position over mold" 46 and shut olfplate-62 from extended position under hopper 57'to starting position as shown in FIGURE 6. This allows a new charge of facing mix to fill feed" drawer 60. As feeddrawer 60reaches end of retraction stroke; tripbar 63' engages and 'activates compaction start switch 65, sending; impul'sewhi'chactiva-tes the conventional timed oscillating control 59 cansing pistonrods 110, guide bars 106-, and compactors 104 to oscillate up and down, imparting blowsto mix inmold compartment. This thoroughly compacts mix against mold face relief:

Force of compactor blows is transferred thru-mold plate support 40 to wear plate 41 and to impact support 43 at this station'and thence to-base 20. Artthe same oscillating; control 59 terminates period of compactor oscillation, it closes a second set or points which activates valve in lower, mold side cylinder-100which then extends piston rod 98' andraises lower mold sides-90, bygmeans'o-f yoke 96 and'arms 92'; Mold 46 with compacted facing thereon. now is clear. of. all mold sides and ready to be indexed to following position. Mechanism at station A now remains idle until after-indexing is completed, whereupon cycle repeats itself. It willbe noted as illustrated in FIGURE 7, that compactors 104, shown in down positiorn. are sospacedass to' clearz'lower separators 48; regardless': at. which: division; point: that they may baposi tioned.or,.of thernurnben of them used'onany onezmold;v

INDEXING: MECHANISM. DESCRIPTION 23 1 is connected to outside source ofifluid'pressure by conduits 237' and is mounted on cylinder 2 24' and connectedjthereto at eachendby conduits 233'. Switch 235. is. attached to indexing cylindera224- in an-operable'. inane ner. to engage. carn227. and. becomes. the. stationtcycle startor triggerswitchto-activate alLfollowing operations at the various; stations. which:- begin immediately. after indexingis completed.

This switch. is-:used rather. than. oneactuatedlby final. latching action, inanticipation-of.this.-later actionbeing. performed, and. safely; so.-sinoe adjustments onstroke of: piston rod 226 will accurately regulate movementandi 6 stopping point of element 26. anticipation, along with others to follow is an important and valuable phase of? this invention due to the time saving resulting? theretro'm. As an example, let us estimate the total time saved by anticipation to. be two seconds. This'i'n relation to the total operating time cycle, which been calculated at eighteen seconds, becomes conservatively 10% of the total cycle time; Thismeansthat inany one day, prodilation would beincrea'sed by approximately 1 0% by the use of anticipatory signals. This extra production with no increased labor costs could be the difference between operating at a profit or a loss during times when prodtrots market maybe vigorously competed-for;

Best shown in FIGURE 1, indexing latclr cylinder 236 is mounted tof'rame 22 between guides 242. Piston rod 238, operably mounted to reciprocate within indexing latch cylinder 236', i's-securelyconnected to indexing latch seat 240; which reciprocates within and is guided by latch seat guides 242 which are rigidly attached to frame 22'. Latch cylinder 2'36 andlatch guides 2 42 are'soposition'e'd on frame 22- that latch seat 240' will engagelatch dog 38 when mold plate 42 is accurately positioned at one ofstations. InFIGUR ES, ind'eXing-switcli'1'65 is-mo-un'ted on frame 22'.

INDEXING' MECHANISM. OPERATION In following sequence ofoperation, operator depresses button onindexing switch 165,,which sends electrical impulse which actuates integral valves in latch and indexing cylinders 224 and 236. Pressure reversal in latcli cylinder 236 causes rod 238. and' latch -seaft 24010. retract, thereby disengaging l'at'chd'og38'. Pressure reversal'in in dexing cylinder 2'24causes. rod 226 to retract carrying cam. 227 back withit; As cam 227moves, roller 2 29 is allowed to move, openingvalve 231 whichallows-greater flow and. therefore a faster piston and rod' travel rate. As some point along the travel of rod 226 is reached, roller 229' begins. ascentwhich results in throttling action in valve and the resultant deceleration of'pi-ston rod 226'. Since endof'rod 226 is connected to flanged bearing 228 and, clutch 230, its movementcauses element 2'6to rotate. The cam andvalve action described above impartsto that rotation, a slow smooth start, a regular uniform acceleration; a-fast intermediate travel rate, a regular uniform deceleration, and a slow smoothstop, necessary as face mix sides are unsupported.

As rod 226 reaches end of travel, outer end of cam 227 engages-station cycle startin-gswitch 235,,whichthen sends electric signals towalves in cylinders'100, 116-, 150; 214, 236, and clutch valve 234, and to-sounding; gongi (not shown) with actions" asfollows; lower moldside cylinder -retraots-rod 98', whichforms'mold" compartment with mold 46 and starts automatic facing mechanism? 0111 its cycle-ofoperations;cylinders'116, 1'50, and 214' start actions which willib'e described later in connectionwitlithe operations to whichtliey'belong; Latclicy1'indei-J'236ex tendsrod 238"andlatch seat 24010 engage latch dog 38. for. final positioning v. and locking: of" movable elementl-26l Clutch valve 23'4is reversed.- allowingpressuremediilm to. leave. clutch 23'0- thereby disengagingitself. Gongor. signallofany, convenient. type. advises .operator-it is.- time to bear. in next pallet forproductionof-next' block's CORNER? A -FACING' MECHANISMS Description: v

Station-B .1 ii FIGURE 9, rear. moldl. side support: bracket .1 14,- onto whichare .pivotally, attachedrear.moldsidecylinder- 116 and rigidly mounted bearings 118, issadjustablyr mountedatosportionr of: frame: 22w Mounted to:- operate with. rear. mold side cylinden 116'i s piston r0d.120;-. having; itsrouter end hingedlyconnected to innerend-tofyoke typeibellcranlelfln- Rear mold sidee1 24 has its position movably restrictedwby being: attachedthrough= bearings- 118 to outer end of bellcrank 122, links'126, and bearings 118 to bracket 114.

Front mold side 128 is operably attached thru guides 130, to positioner bars 132, which are movably held in place by'threaded rods 134, having threaded sprockets 136 screwed thereon, and vested in retaining brackets 138. Handle 133 is rigidly attached to adjusting sprocket 135, which, with its integral shaft is journaled in hearing bracket 137, the latter being rigidly but adjustably mounted to impact support 43. Chain 139 encompasses sprockets135 and 136.

As shown in FIGURE 1, corner mold restraining arms 140 are pivotally mounted on front mold side 128 and operably attached to restraining arm cylinder 142 by trunnion type mounting and to piston rod 144 by yoke 146. Bythis coupling method, the full piston rod stroke pivots both arms 140 to their greatest movement about their pivots. Mold side retraction switch 147 is operably mounted to restraining arm cylinder 142 to operably engage yoke 146. Piston rod 148 is rigidly attached to front mold side 128 and operably mounted to front mold side cylinder 150 which rests on movable base 152 which is rigidly connected to positioner bars 132. Restraining arm switch 151 is operably mounted on the impact support 43, to engage lug 153 on guides 130. In FIGURE 1, mold-side switch 155 is mounted to frame 22.

I V ADJUSTMENTS In making blocks of other heights rear mold side sup: port bracket 114 would be reposidoned by loosening fasteners and moving outward or inward as the change may dictate, and then retightening again to mating portion of frame 22 as shown in FIGURES l and 9. Front mold side 128 is repositioned correctly to mold by turning handle .133 which moves sprocket 135 and chain 139. This rotates all four sprockets 136 in unison and causes all four'threaded rods 134 to be extended outward or withdrawn inward whichever may be required; In FIGURE 12.restraining arm adaptor 141 is shown secured 'in place on restraining arm 140 which effectively narrows the grip and permits the locking of mold sides 124 and 128 together in the same manner as shown in FIGURE 1. I 7

OPERATION on CORNER OF IAMB FACING MECHANKSM Station B At station B, the operator places the corner or jamb molds 52 or 54 in place by resting the bottom of-them on mold plate 42 and sliding them toward mold 46 until dowels 56 have engaged holes provided. Operator then pushes close portion of mold side switch 155 as shown in FIGURE 1. This actuates integral valve in rear mold side cylinder 116, causing piston rod 120 to extend, rotating bellcrank 122 in journals 118 which forces rear mold side 124 to approach mold 46, all the while rear mold side 124 being held in vertical plane by links 126 turning about bearings 118.

' During this period, piston rod 148 is also extending and elevating front mold side 128 into position beside mold'46 and engaging mold restraining arm switch 151 with lug 153: it, rod 148 having been energized. also by switch 155. This restraining arm switch 151 energizes integral valve in: restraining arm cylinder 142 causing piston rod 144 to extend and-restraining arms 140 to pivot, thereby supporting corner molds 52, and locking mold sides 124 and 128 together as shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 12 also shows restraining arm 140 holding mold sides 124 and 128 in place as well as the use of restraining arm adaptor 141 as used when making narrower blocks.

Operator then places additional facing mix into ends of mold compartment and compacts it with any suitable means such as a conventional bench rammer (not shown). After compaction is completed, operator pushes open button of mold side control switch 155 which activates integral valve in restraining arm cylinder 142 causing piston rod 144 to retract which unlocks mold sides 124 and 128.and returns arms '14!) to open positionas shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 1. This causes yoke 146 to engage front and rear mold side retraction switch 147 sending impulse to integral valves in mold side cylinders 11.6 and 150 effecting the retraction of piston rods 120 and 148, thereby withdrawing mold sides 124 and 128 from mold 46 and mold corners 52; z

This leaves mold, mold corners, and compacted facing free and ready toflmove to following station C at next indexing of machine. When regular blocks (those without facing on the ends) are being produced, station B is idle, with compacted facing and mold remaining status quo for one machine cycle. After which, mold and facing proceed to following station for product comple tion.

BEAR-OFF DESCRIPTION Station C Although the actual bear-off" operation follows the back-up process, the mechanism is described at this time since the bear-in function takes place prior to the back-up process and uses the mechanism herein described as bear-off. It is so called since its most important function is bear-off.

In FIGURE 1, left bear-off support 154L is pivotally mounted to frame 22, by journals 156, and rests on treadle 157L' shown in FIGURE 5. Treadle 157L is pivotally; mounted to base 20 by pin 159. Right bearoif support 154R is of identical structure but opposite hand and is similarly mounted. Left bear-off roll over cradle 158L having bear-off fingers 160L rigidly mounted thereon is pivotally mounted to support 154L and has position Where pallet 164 may, in a vertical plane, loosely rest. When roll over cradle 158L has been rolled over as shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 4 pallet 164 then occupies a horizontal position; Cradle 1581. has cylindrical lock bars 161 extending from its ends.

BACK-UP MECHANISM DESCRIPTION Station C CORE CARRIAGE In FIGURE 13, core carriage cylinder 214 is mounted to frame 22 via trunnion 216 and has piston rod 212 reciprocally mounted therein. Adjustable linkage 210' has one end secured to rod 212 and the other pivotally mounted to core carriage 178. Mold side retraction switch 179 is operably mounted to support bracket 176 to engage adjustable trip bar 197 secured to core plate 184. In FIGURES l and 11 core carriage 178, having side channels 177, is mounted and guided by them on rollers 218 which are secured to shafts 220 which are journaled in bearings 222 secured to frame 22.

Spacer bars 191 are rigidly mounted toside channels 177 and in turn become a rigid support for racks 202 which are securely fastened thereon. Rear mold side 182, having openings therein to receive cores 192 and upper Separators 180, and having cylindrical locks 183 on its ends, is rigidly attached to spacer bars 191 to effectively form the front end of core carriage 178. In

FIGURE 16, angle bracket 194 is rigidly mounted on rear mold side 182 and carries thereon at least one separator switch 195 operably mounted to engage key lug 500m mold 46 when core carriage 178 advances thereto. In FIGURE 13, guide bar 186 is rigidly attached to carriage side channels 177 and has openings therein to receive upper separators and core plate cylinder 208. In FIGURE 1, support bracket 176 is adjustably mounted on core carriage 178 by being laterally'restrained'within clips 175, which are secured to carriage 178, and restricted from moving forward or rearward by cap screw 181 threaded into one of the several holes provided in carriage 178.

QR B i f SWMB In FIGURE 1, gears 200 roll on rack 202' and are rigidly mountedon shaft which: is journaled in bearings 196; Coreplate has bearings 196 rigidly attached thereto andtheretore rides on-racks 202 via gcarsZOGtand shaft 198. Cores 192* and ha-lfi cores 193: are removably attached-to core, plate 184- and guid1ed within openings in rearmold side 182'. In FIGURE 13, angle plate 204 is rigidlyattached-to-coreplate 184 and has piston rod206 rigidly mounted to it. Red 2061s reciprocally mounted within core plate cylinder 208 which is nested within opening in guide bar lsfi and: rigidly mounted to support *bracket 176.

UPPER, SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY d 1 72 \vhich is reciprocally mounted Within tunnel strike oiicylinder; 77.4 which is rigidly mounted to bracket 17 6. Trip bar 171 is mounted to funnel strike ofi. in n n r blepq ion oo. ag finish Plate wi h, 1, iml i nt ti nrfunne1i s e. f yli der FEEDER. 258w AND. HOEPER 260 In -FIGURE 1-3, beltfeeder 258 is mounted through journals to frame: 22: below hopper-269 in the usual manher. Hopper 260 is rigidly mounted to tram? 22 and has mounted: to it a feedermotor start switch 261;, time controller 263, and, an oscillating control 265; Feeder sprocket 26,2 is driven by, chain 264 which is driven. by sprocket 2,66 mounted on gear motor 268.. whichwis ad.- justably mounted'to frame 22.

Q M A TING. AND: EIN $HINQ In FIGURE: 13 finishing plate assembly 270- is-n1ovably mounted in guides-t2-72g which are rigidly attached to frame 22. Plate assembly issuspended over mould 46 by links 274* pivotally mountedto assembly 270 and hopper-260: Links -2-74' a1 e supported by-yoke 276, pivot: ally'mounted thereto, andjfinishing -asse mbly cylinder 278i also pivotally' mounted thereto; Piston 'rod' 2250' is mounte'dfto reciprocate within finishing assembly cylinder 278 and is-pivotally-mounted to frame 22: i

In FIGURE-55 finishing plate 282' is rigidly attached'to plate assembly 210and h as-. slotstherein to receive compaction bars 284, which are movably mounted within guide plate 28d; and connectedto-pistonr-ods 288i These rods= 288, aremountedtd reciprocate withincompaction 'bar cylinders -ZQO -Which are mounted rigidly toplate assembly 27 0; Thip p1ate289 is attached to; assembly 270 inposition toengage block thickness switch 29L mountedontguicleangle271, which-is attached to guidest272.

' MOLD SIDES; AND LOCKS t 1 ne bly mo ntedvn m ldi 'de y inder 256 t 7130 e gage ram on-.retractionstroke. In 15;, mold sides 246 have wing. latches. 247, which engage cylindrical ock bars 161: and:183. when in the. down position.

ADJUSTMENTS AT, BACK UP STATION C For making blocks of other heights the following ad'- justments are, made: adjustable linkage: 2.10- is shortened or lengthened. as. desired which affects the repositioning i. 761 Qarraige. 178-v and rear mold side, 182. with reference. to new. mold, 46. to, be used, Supportv bracket 176 is loosened from core, carriage 17K and repositioned by entering screw in, one of: the alternate holes provided. This repositions funnelstrike. off; upper separators, and cores, as; all three: have. their powering; devicesanchored to bracket:176. It, also-irepositionst mold side retraction switch 179, located. on bracket 176.. Triphbar 197 is ad? justed to. engage funnel strike, off, switch. 199 according to stroke length. Compactors 284 and finishing, plate 282 are then changed for. those. of correct width; Time controller 263 is resettuindicatedpositiom forblocle height to be, made,. thereby properly. regulating feeding and, compaction time. Roll over. cradles 158 are exchanged: for the onesto iitblock. height; to 'bemade.

BACK UP- STATION OPERATION Station C BEARFIN-v OPERATION.

Wewill assume for a starting; point of" this-operation thatmachinehas indexed and a mold 46 with a, set Of two corner-- molds 52 h'as come to rest at; station C with compacted facing inplace. Operator has heardthe anticipatory gong sounded prior to indexingcompleti'on and has readied} himself for bearing-im At the-same time gongsounded, core carriage cylinder became energized by valve-movement triggered by station cycle starting switch 235, thereby retracting rod; 2 l'2 'shown in FIGURE 13 and advancing; core carriage 1-78 and rear mold' side ,1'82 into'operable position with mold 46.

Operatonhas a pallet 1'64' inplace on rollover cradle 158 in positionshownbysolidlines-inFIGURE 4; He swings'these into position,; pivoting them about'tube 154 in-bearings ;1 56: Fingers 160 enteropenings 39 in mold plate- 42 as shown at station D in FIGURE, 1'. As this action is completed, bear oil" support 154 engages mold side switch 45'as-shown in FIGURE 13. This sends im: pulse to valves in indexing cylinder 224 andmoldi side cylinder- 256;

INDEX: MECHANISM: RETURN STROKE;

In EIGURE114, pressure reversal in cylinder- 224' causes rodi 226 to extend. turning: with it. flanged bearing 228 and; clutch 23 0; Theseturnfreely, impartingno'relative motion; to drum; 321since'clutch230thas beende-energi'zed for'some-time due: totsignali from station cycle: starting Switch 255 r as; Set forth: in operation of index-ing mecha nismt. i

M0121) ASSEMBLY OPERATION Simultaneously with above as shown in FIGURE 5, mold side cylinders-256-extendrods 254 and rams 250 causing mold; side, 2:316:10; enten' into, at, baGkTUIE position with corner, moldst 5,2 which: are.- already; at stationC..;

Fillen. blocks 244 have. been removeds of, course, priorto; Wing; latches 24 7.

starting, the. corner; bloekt making. have engaged locksr. 161., and; 183, therebyi holding pallet 164, and rear mold side 182,,againshany spreading force: Atthe sametirne end ofram '250,e ngages .lug 47 on plate.

42 1 tho di mera molds 52s in place against; compaction pressure.

At he r ndi f x end g, oke f;'moldis P A 253i; trip .bar 253; mounted1on ram 250, engages core switch. 251, sending impulse to integral valve, in, cylinder 2 0, 8 and ;energifzi ng circuit. thnxupper separator switches:

195, In ;FIfl GURE 13;, pressureireversal: in; coreplate cylinder 7 208Jcausesrod; 2.06storextend, pushing; core: plate 184 with cores 192 into mold compartment. Upon energizing circuit of separator switch 195, any single or several switches 195 which have engaged key lugs 50 on mold 46 will correspondingly relay impulse to their parti cular separator cylinder or cylinders 190 actuating the integral valves therein. This pressure reversal then extends rod or rods 188 and separator or separators 180 thru guide bar 186, core plate 184, and rear mold side 182 into mold compartment in a position directly over lower separator or separators depending upon which mold 46 happens to be at that station at that time.

In FIGURE 1, at the end of core plate travel, trip bar 197 engages funnel strike-E switch 199 sending impulse to integral valve in funnel strike-off cylinder 174 causing piston rod 172 to extend, pushing funnel strike-ofi 166 outward over mold compartment, thereby depositing the excess mix, which remained from last cycle, into mold compartment.

In FIGURE 5, near the end of outward stroke of funnel strike-off 166 trip lug167 mounted thereon actuates feeder motor starting switch 169 attached to guide 170 sending simultaneously, impulses to feeder motor starting switch 261, time controller 263, and oscillator control 265, shown in FIGURE 13. This starts feed motor and energizes'compactor cylinders 290 causing compactors 284 to reciprocate up and down for a predetermined period. At the end of timed interval, feeder 258 stops, compactors 284 stop in an up position and impulse is sent by time control 263 to integral valve in funnel strike off cylinder 174 causing funnel strike off 166 to retract. This action strikes oiI excess material evenly and slightly above block top.

In FIGURE 13, at end of funnel strike ofl retraction stroke, trip 171 engages finishing plate switch 173 sending impulse to integral valve in finishing plate assembly cylinder 278 causing piston rod to extend, forcing yoke 276, assembly 270, and finishing plate 282 downward to size and finish blocks. Impulse from finish plate switch 173 is also directed to clutch valve 234 engaging clutch 230 to drum 32 in preparation for next indexing.

When correct block thickness is reached, trip 289 engages block thickness switch 291 causing finishing plate 282 to retract to starting position shown in FIGURES and 13. Block thickness switch 291 also sends impulse to integral valves in core and separator cylinders 190 and 208 thereby retracting cores 192 and separators 180. In FIGURE 1, as core plate 184 reaches fully retracted position, trip bar 197 engages mold side retraction switch 179 sending impulse to mold side cylinders 256 shown in FIG- URE 5 causing moldv sides 246 to retract, which frees rear mold side 182 and bear-off cradle 158. In FIGURE 5, as ram 2S0'retracts it actuates core carriage retraction switch 273, sending impulse to integral valve in core carriage cylinder 214, shown in FIGURE 13, causing rod 212 to extend, pushing core carriage 178 back and clearing mold 46. Core carriage switch 273, in anticipation, also sounds gong advising operator blocks are ready to be borne ofi.

BEAR-OFF OPERATION In performing this part of block production, operator, who has heard the anticipatory signal from machine, turns into proper position while unit is being completed. He then steps on left hand treadle 157L, which by lever action raises entire bear-oil 154 including roll over cradle 1S8, pallet 164, finished product, mold corners 52, and mold 46, freeing the latter from positioner on plate 42. He then grasps cradle 158L and swings bear-0E clear of machine. Next he places mold 46, which he removed from product during last bear-ofii', on machine at station C. Then he presses index button 165, shown in FIGURE 5, and proceeds to place another pallet 164 on right hand bear-off cradle 158 R. Upon gong sounding, completion of machine indexing is indicated and he swings right bearoif 158R with pallet 164 into machine which then proceeds 12 to complete the back-up operation for the next group of blocks.

While this back-up operation for the next group is in progress, operator rolls cradle 158L, as shown in FIGURE 4 by broken lines, completed block, pallet 164, mold 46, and mold corners '52, over. This new position of cradle 158L now has completed block resting on pallet 164, which operator now pulls with molds away from fingers 160. He next strips corner molds 52 from block and mold 46 and places them on a stand (not shown) between stations B and C for use, in turn, with other mold corners on subsequent blocks. Mold 46 is, now stripped from block and placed on stand (not shown) and is also now ready for reuse.

Block now rests alone on pallet164 which operator grasps and places both on a conventional block curing rack. Now he places an empty pallet 164 on cradle 158L, whereupon he has reached the point of operation identified as bear-in which has previously been set forth. The next bear-off operation will be identical to the one just described except it will be done with right bear-off which is now in machine having block completed.

POWER BRUSH DESCRIPTION In FIGURE 1, cylindrically shaped brush 292 is securely attached to shaft of gear motor 294 'which is rigidly mounted to frame 22 so that brush willengage all the top parts of mold 46 while it is moving from stations D to E. This is accomplished by making brush length enough longer than mold width to enable it to cover every part of mold 46. Extra brushlength is necessary since the difference between the maximum and minimum radii from center of shaft 28 to the various mold extremities is greater than mold width itself. Brush motor start control 293 is mounted to frame 22.

POWER BRUSH OPERATION AIR JET DESCRIPTION In FIGURE 1, a conduit 296, having openings therein, is operably mounted to frame 22, so that air emerging from openings would be directed in a plane at the position between stations E and F and slightly above elevation of top of mold 46. Conduit 296 has valve 298 operably connected thereto for controlling flow of air, and is further connected to an outside source of air pressure.

AIR JET OPERATION Electrical impulse from switch 165 at start of indexing operation, actuates valve 298 causing air under pressure to flow thru conduit 296 and out openings therein. This blows loosened mix residue clear of mold 46 which is passing beneath. At end of indexing operation, impulse from trigger switch 235 operates valve to stop flow of air.

MIST SPRAY DESCRIPTION Rigidly mountedto frame 22 between stations F and A and slightly above elevation of top of mold 46, is spray nozzle 300, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. A dual conduit 301 connects nozzle 300, to a valve, an outside source of lubricant, and to an outside source of air pressure.

MIST SPRAY OPERATION An electrical impulse from switch 165 at start of indexing operation actuates valve 302 which causes mist of lubricant to be directed at mold 46 which is now passing beneath nozzle. As indexing cycle is completed, trigger 13 Switch 235 sends. electricalimpulse to. valve 302 which stops flow. of airand lubricant.

The machine will be, further equipped with sufiicient conventional safety. limit switches which prevent, for eX- ample, the indexing mechanism from. functioning until all the various components at stations A B, andC are in theif fully retractedposit-ions and are clear offmol ds- 46 and attendarit supports. These are not'shown as. this is a usual precaution taken on most automatic machinery. Separators 180 and cores 192, do not move with core carriage and rear mold side for the following reasons. First there must be an initial movement of carriage with switches to engage mold keys to determine which separators shall advance. Second, cores and separators should not contact pallet 164 prior to it being locked in place with rear mold side 182. Extra facing mix could cause cores to force pallet and bear otf away from mold. And third, rear mold side must support block while cores and separators are withdrawn to avoid damage to block.

I claim:

1. A block machine having a frame and a movable table secured to said frame, a pressure cylinder secured to said frame and having a reciprocable piston and rod; a source of fluid under pressure; conduits for directing fluid under pressure between said source and said pressure cylinder to reciprocate the piston and rod of said pressure cylinder selectively; a clutch, one portion of which is attached to the piston rod of said cylinder and the other member of which is secured to said movable table; a valve secured to said pressure cylinder and interposed in said conduits between said source and said pressure cylinder; an operating arm secured to said valve; means secured to said piston rod and operatively engaging said valve operating arm to open said valve during the middle portions of each reciprocation of said piston rod and at least partially close said valve at the ends of each reciprocation; and means for engaging said clutch before said pressure cylinder piston rod is actuated in one direction of reciprocation and for releasing said clutch before said pressure cylinder piston rod is actuated in the other direction of its reciprocation.

2. The block machine of claim 1 in which the means for opening and closing said valve during reciprocation of said piston rod comprises, a cam follower secured to said valve arm, and a cam secured to said piston rod of said pressure cylinder and engaging said cam follower.

3. The block machine of claim 1 in which said movable portion has face molds thereon; mold sides movably secured to said stationary portion and alternately movable into and out of engagement with said face molds successively; means secured to said stationary portion above said mold sides and a face mold when said movable table is stopped for placing molding material on said face molds when engaged by said mold sides; and means for Withdrawing said mold sides before said movable portion is indexed.

4. The block machine of claim 3 in which the means for opening and closing said valve during reciprocation comprises an arm operably secured to said valve, a cam follower on the end of said arm, and a cam secured to the piston rod of said pressure cylinder and engaging said cam follower.

5. The block machine of claim 4 in which latches are secured to said movable portion; a latch seat movably secured to said stationary portion; and means for moving said latch seat into engagement with one of said latches after indexing is completed and withdrawing said latch seat before indexing starts selectively; said latches and latch seat being a wedge and V-shaped, respectively.

6. The block machine of claim 5 in which some of said face molds have separator portions thereon; key lugs secured to said face molds having separator portions thereon in alignment therewith; movable separators se- I4 cured to saidstationary portiong-means on the stationary portion of saiim machine for; moving movable separatorsselectively into and out of engage ent witha m old; means aligned with said movable separators on said statioiiary portion and when engaging said key lugs initiatingv movement of said movable separators into. a face mold; said; movable separators otherwise remaining stat sn r- 7;. The bloek machine ofclairrr 1 in. which thereare at least two face molds secured to said movable. portion; aseparator portion in one of' said face.molds; a,k ey. lug secured to said one face mold in alignment with said separator portion; a set of mold sides movably mounted on said stationary portion; means secured to said stationary portion and said mold sides for moving them into and out of operable engagement with said face molds at times; at least one movable separator secured to said stationary portion; means for moving said movable separator into and out of operable engagement with said mold sides; and means aligned with said movable separator and secured to said stationary portion and when engaging said key lug, initiating movement of said movable separator into operable engagement with said mold sides; said movable separator being withheld from movement when said means aligned with said separator engages no key lug.

8. The block machine of claim 1 in which latches are secured to said movable portion; a latch seat movably secured to said stationary portion; and means for moving said latch seat into engagement with one of said latches after indexing is completed and withdrawing said latch seat before indexing starts selectively; said latches and latch seat being a wedge and V-shaped, respectively.

9. A block machine comprising a frame; at least two face molds secured to said frame; a separator portion on one of said face molds; a key lug secured to said one face mold in alignment With said separator portion; a set of mold sides movably mounted on said frame; means secured to said frame and said mold sides for moving them into and out of operable engagement with said face molds; at least one movable separator secured to said frame; means for moving movable separator into and out of operable engagement with said mold sides; and means aligned with said movable separator and secured to said frame and when engaging said key lug, initiating movement of said movable separator into operable engagement with said mold sides; said movable separator being withheld from movement when said means aligned with said movable separator engages no key lug.

10. The block machine of claim 9 in which said machine is a dual mix block machine; said movable separator moves horizontally; cores movably secured to said frame adjacent said mold sides; means secured to said frame for moving said cores into and out of said mold sides in paths parallel to said movable separator; a bear oif structure vertically pivoted to said frame near one end of said mold sides and including roll-over structure horizontally pivoted to pivot only ninety degrees.

11. In a machine having a frame and a movable table secured to said frame, the improvement comprising; a pressure cylinder having a piston and rod; said pressure cylinder being secured to said frame; the piston rod of said pressure cylinder being secured to said movable table; a source of fluid under pressure; conduits extending between said source and said pressure cylinder for reciprocating said pressure cylinder piston and rod selectively; a valve secured to said pressure cylinder and interposed in said conduits; said valve having an operating arm; means secured to said piston rod and operatively engaged with said valve operating arm to open said valve during the middle portion of each reciprocation of said piston and rod and at least partially closing said valve during the terminal portions of each reciprocation of said piston and rod.

(References on following page) 1 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hall Aug. 26, 1902 Fisher Jan. 15, 1907 5 Neilsen Oct. 31, 1911 Rickman Mar.'18, 1913 Whitney Sept. 23, 1919 Vought Sept. 7, 1926 McKnight Apr. 19, 1927 Goldston Dec. 18, 192:;

Elton Dec. 3, 1929 

